THE SKINNY

4A boys — After its two-year run was ended by South Kitsap, Federal Way looks to regain the top spot — and should if the Eagles’ 4x100 relay (42.23 is No. 1 in state) lives up to its favorite’s billing, D’Jimon Jones (6-8) contends in the high jump, and Sallee (state-leading 47-11¾) repeats in the triple jump. … Gonzaga Prep’s Nick Johnson is the reigning state 110-meter hurdles champion, and his 13.85-second mark from the GSL championship ranks as the No. 2 mark all-time behind Steilacoom’s Daniel Zmuda (13.84). Johnson is in line to break Garfield standout Mark Phillips’ state record of 13.91, set in 1989. … Yearian (1,600 and 3,200) and South Kitsap’s Nolan VanAmen (shot put, discus) are favorites as multiple-event defenders — and watch out for Union sprinter Jilven Refil in the 100 (10.69) and 200 (21.88).

3A boys — Everybody is aware of the football team’s historic winning percentage, but Bellevue is trying to do something no school from 4A or 3A has ever done in boys track — win five consecutive team titles. Even with Tyson Penn going for an unprecedented fourth state high jump title, the Wolverines will have challengers, notably Blanchet, which beat them at the Sea-King District meet, and West Central District winner Lincoln. … If you like fast, tune into the sprints, where Rainier Beach’s Emmanuel Wells holds state-leading times in the 100 (10.57) and 200 (21.58), an event he will try to defend at Star Track.

2A boys — Seven years, seven different team winners. Will there be an eighth? WCD champion Franklin Pierce and West Valley of Spokane sure hope so, but defending state champion River Ridge has an outside shot with junior Josh Braverman in four events — and the favorite in both hurdles races. He has gone 14.06 in the 110 hurdles, which is tied for 10th all-time. … Bellingham’s Jakob Chamberlin (199-7) is the all-classification state leader in the javelin.

4A girls — Issaquah ended the WCD’s four-year reign as state champion by winning last season. Junior Nikki Stephens (state-leading 400 time of 55.10) leads the Eagles’ top-seeded 4x200 and 4x400 relays. … This likely will be Tahoma’s best shot at its first 4A title. The Bears have speed with Olivia Ribera and Aliya Wilson, and return star power with Mehl trying to defend her state shot put title. … Rogers’ Jelani Heath (state-best 19-5¼) has set a goal to go 20 feet in the long jump, and is the favorite to win her first state title. … Skyline ninth-grader Taylor Roe’s 10:26.56 in the 3,200 is a top-15 mark all-time. She will seek to sweep the distance races. … Pasco’s Angela Cardon could do the same thing as the state leader in the 100 (10.79) and second-fastest in the 200 (24.53).

3A girls — Kamiakin has won the last four championships, with Holy Names Academy taking second place in the past three years. It might the Cougars’ turn to take that top spot, led by Jordan Oakes in the 800 and 1,600 (state-leading 4:45.77). … This is the swan song for the storied career of Mountlake Terrace’s Chinne Okoronkwo, arguably the best triple jumper this state has seen. If the Wisconsin signee sweeps the long jump, triple jump and pole vault, she will leave high school with nine 3A titles.

2A girls — Last spring, Shorecrest edged two-time defending champion Sehome, 57-55. And the Scots return the meet’s only four-time state winner — Wurrie Njadoe (100, 200, high jump, long jump). She is the reigning Junior Olympics long jump champion. … Russell is aiming for her third consecutive triple jump crown.

Tickets: Single day is $10 for adults, $7 for students/senior citizens. Meet pass is $19 for adults, $14 for students/senior citizens.

Class 2A/1A/2B TRACK CHAMPIONSHPS

At Eastern Washington University, Cheney

SCHEDULE

Thursday — 4-6:45 p.m.

Friday — 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Saturday — 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

DEFENDING TEAM CHAMPIONS

1A boys — King’s.

1A girls — Lynden Christian.

2B boys — Raymond.

2B girls — Lind-Ritzville.

1B boys — Lummi.

1B girls — Mount Vernon Christian.

RETURNING LOCAL INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS

2B girls — Peyton Dungan, Rainier, sr. (shot put).

THE SKINNY

1A — There are an astonishing 12 girls around the state who have surpassed 40 feet in the shot put — and Montesano’s Jordan Spradlin (45-11¾) tops them all. She is the returning state champion. ... Chelan’s Jose Padilla is in the same boat on the boys side — his 61-10 is No. 1 in the state. … The boys team race should come down to King’s and Zillah, while the girls contenders include Lynden Christian, Cascade of Leavenworth and Naches. … Eatonville swept the WCD titles.

2B — Can anyone overtake the two-time defending champion Raymond boys? If there is one factor that can make a difference, it is North Beach’s depth in the throws. … Northwest Christian of Lacey’s Luke Schilter is the top returning state finisher in the boys’ 1,600 and 3,200. … Colfax and St. George’s finished 1-2 at the District 7/9 meet last week — and they could be the top two teams Saturday. … Northwest Christian of Lacey teammates Heidi Sowers, the favorite, and Megan McSheffrey could duel in the 300 hurdles.

1B — Led by Jake Lawrence in the shot put (46-0), Brett Henning in the javelin (156-5) and Sam Rodmyre in the 800 (2:10.11), the Evergreen Lutheran boys have a chance for a top-four finish. … Cusick and Mount Vernon Christian are favorites on the girls side.

Tickets: Single day is $10 for adults, $7 for students/senior citizens. Meet pass is $19 for adults, $14 for students/senior citizens.